CHILD PROTECTION
The county attorney initiates CHIPS
(Child in Need of Protection or Services)
petitions to protect abused or neglected
children in Roseau County. These cases
involve children who need the protection of
the court due either to a foster care
placement (if the children cannot safely
remain with the parents) or protective
supervision (if the children remain in their
parents’ care). Many cases arise as
emergencies in which children are at risk of
imminent harm. Police discover children
injured or in danger and take them into
protective custody. Sometimes, after an
investigation of a child maltreatment
report, child protection workers determine
that a child is at risk and must be removed
from the parents or placed under court
supervision.
State and Federal law require that if a child cannot be returned safely to parents within 12 months (or six months for children under the age of eight), the county must seek permanent safe homes through the termination of parental rights, transfer of legal custody to a relative or placement in long-term foster care. The county attorney represents Roseau County Social Services in these permanency proceedings.
The county attorney also represents Roseau County Social Services in cases involving truancy, educational neglect and runaways.
To report abuse or neglect of children in Roseau County, call Roseau County Social Services at (218) 463-2411 or the Roseau County Sheriff’s Department at (218) 463-1421.
Legal Authorities
Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection
Procedure
Minnesota Statutes-Child Protection
Minnesota Statutes-Truancy
Legal Forms
Child Protection
Additional Resources
Child Abuse Prevention Network
Child Welfare League of America
CornerHouse Child Abuse Evaluation and
Training Center
First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center
Minnesota DHS-Child Protection
National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and
Neglect
